PS series
The model that marked AXIA’s beginning and came to represent the brand.
PS-I, first generation, 1985
Type I. 46 minutes - ¥470 / 54 - ¥520 / 60 - ¥570 / 90 - ¥840.
Magnetic material: ハイレスポンスベリドックス (high-response Beridox iron-oxide magnetic material); base: special polyester; coercivity: 390 Oe; maximum residual flux density: 1800 G; squareness ratio: 0.91; MOL at 315 Hz: +6.0 dB, at 10 kHz: -4.5 dB; bias noise: -55.0 dB; print-through: 53.0 dB; heat resistance: +110 °C; cold resistance: -40 °C.
This key model defined the brand’s image. Within Fujifilm it was called the “Yuki-chan cassette.” Its newly developed スーパークリスタル・ハイポリマーハーフ (super-crystal high-polymer shell) had an unusual feel unlike anything before it. The plain design of the Fuji years gave way to a pop design that captured young people’s hearts. This legendary model changed the concept of the cassette tape and marked the start of AXIA’s rapid growth. It used a cobalt-doped magnetic material that was new at the time. With bright, powerful mid and high frequencies, fast response and good attack, it suited rock and pop.
PS-II, first generation, 1985
Type II. 46 minutes - ¥500 / 54 - ¥570 / 60 - ¥630 / 90 - ¥900.
Magnetic material: スーパーレスポンスベリドックス (super-response Beridox magnetic material); base: special polyester; coercivity: 650 Oe; maximum residual flux density: 1800 G; squareness ratio: 0.91; MOL at 315 Hz: +5.0 dB, at 10 kHz: -7.0 dB; bias noise: -58.5 dB; print-through: 52.0 dB; heat resistance: +110 °C; cold resistance: -40 °C.
PS-II was not in the lineup when AXIA launched. Perhaps the company wanted to emphasize the accessibility of an inexpensive Normal tape: PS-II followed PS-I by about six months. Its package and shell shared the PS-I design, but it used a still lower-noise tape for High Position, giving it specifications worthy of the designation.
About the PS series
PS-I was released in June 1985 as the symbolic product of AXIA (アクシア), a new brand launched to revive the struggling Fuji cassette business. PS-II followed a little later.
PS stands for Player’s Spirits: the musical spirit of players who love a life with sound. Young people who enjoyed music on cassette were the main target, and Yuki Saito appeared in the advertising. The package design concept and other aspects were completely renewed from the FUJI cassette days.
The first PS series used a fully transparent shell with a fresh appearance. Although transparent, its スーパークリスタル・ハイポリマー (super-crystal high-polymer material) resisted heat up to 110 °C and cold down to -40 °C. Vibration countermeasures included a spring pad. It was designed with a lighthearted look to resonate with the player’s sense of fun, while its heat, cold and vibration resistance emphasized its heavy-duty construction. It was also a strategic product priced low for its performance compared with competitors.
The PS-s series followed as the effective second through fifth generations. A Metal type joined from the sixth generation, and PS remained one of AXIA’s representative music cassettes into the 21st century.
PS-Is and PS-IIs, first generation, 1987
PS-Is, Type I: 46 minutes - ¥470 / 54 - ¥520 / 60 - ¥570 / 90 - ¥840. PS-IIs, Type II: 46 minutes - ¥500 / 54 - ¥570 / 60 - ¥630 / 90 - ¥900.
The original PS series was updated as PS-Super. The s in the name may suggest a higher-grade or derivative model, but the two were not sold alongside one another: this was its effective successor. Along with a new printing layout on the shell, it used improved tape.
PS-Is and PS-IIs, second generation, 1988
PS-Is, Type I: 46 minutes - ¥400 / 50 - ¥420 / 54 - ¥450 / 60 - ¥500 / 74 - ¥570 / 90 - ¥650. PS-IIs, Type II: 46 minutes - ¥450 / 50 - ¥470 / 54 - ¥500 / 60 - ¥550 / 74 - ¥650 / 90 - ¥750.
The second PS-s generation renewed the shell colors for each position. The hub clamps became blue and green respectively, making the appearance more refined. From this model the package carried “for CD,” and more tape lengths were offered. A newly developed tape addressed the digital age.
PS-Is SLIM and PS-IIs SLIM, third generation, 1989
PS-Is SLIM, Type I: 46 minutes - ¥1170 / 54 - ¥1320 / 70 - ¥1590 / 90 - ¥1890. PS-IIs SLIM, Type II: 46 minutes - ¥1320 / 54 - ¥1440 / 70 - ¥1740 / 90 - ¥2190. Prices are for packs of three.
One of the year’s major cassette industry developments was the slim case. AXIA developed a case 20% thinner than the conventional one. The shell printing changed from diagonal to horizontal, while a diagonal slit in the shell carried on the earlier design.
PS-Is Slim and PS-IIs Slim, fourth generation, 1990
PS-Is Slim, Type I: 40 minutes - ¥370 / 46 - ¥390 / 50 - ¥410 / 54 - ¥430 / 60 - ¥480 / 64 - ¥500 / 70 - ¥530 / 74 - ¥550 / 90 - ¥630 / 100 - ¥680. PS-IIs Slim, Type II: 40 minutes - ¥410 / 46 - ¥430 / 50 - ¥450 / 54 - ¥480 / 60 - ¥530 / 64 - ¥550 / 70 - ¥580 / 74 - ¥620 / 90 - ¥720 / 100 - ¥780.
The fourth generation was the final PS-s model. Slim cases had already become the mainstream. The “for CD” marking, previously only on the package, was printed directly on the shell as well. By this point cassette tape performance had been pushed to its limits.
PS-I and PS-II, second generation, 1991
PS-I, Type I: 40 minutes - ¥410 / 46 - ¥430 / 50 - ¥450 / 54 - ¥470 / 60 - ¥530 / 64 - ¥550 / 70 - ¥580 / 80 - ¥640 / 90 - ¥690 / 100 - ¥750. PS-II, Type II: 40 minutes - ¥450 / 46 - ¥470 / 50 - ¥500 / 54 - ¥530 / 60 - ¥580 / 64 - ¥610 / 70 - ¥640 / 80 - ¥720 / 90 - ¥790 / 100 - ¥860.
Although PS-s had effectively succeeded the first generation, the old model names returned. The series went on to become AXIA’s longest-running cassette. The shell was no longer completely transparent, but the diagonal tape window carried on the original design.
PS-I and PS-II, third generation, 1993
PS-I, Type I: 30 minutes - ¥360 / 40 - ¥410 / 46 - ¥430 / 50 - ¥450 / 54 - ¥470 / 60 - ¥530 / 64 - ¥550 / 70 - ¥580 / 80 - ¥640 / 90 - ¥690 / 120 - ¥870. PS-II, Type II: 30 minutes - ¥400 / 40 - ¥450 / 46 - ¥470 / 50 - ¥500 / 54 - ¥530 / 60 - ¥580 / 64 - ¥610 / 70 - ¥640 / 80 - ¥720 / 90 - ¥790 / 120 - ¥940.
The last model to retain the iconic early PS design. The package changed considerably, but apart from slight changes to the lettering, the shell’s tape window and other features remained like the previous model. The gray was a little darker.
PS-1 and PS-2, fourth generation, 1994
PS-1, Type I: 30 minutes - ¥360 / 40 - ¥410 / 46 - ¥430 / 50 - ¥450 / 54 - ¥480 / 60 - ¥520 / 64 - ¥550 / 70 - ¥580 / 80 - ¥640 / 90 - ¥690 / 120 - ¥870 / 150 - ¥980. PS-2, Type II: 30 minutes - ¥400 / 40 - ¥450 / 46 - ¥470 / 50 - ¥500 / 54 - ¥530 / 60 - ¥570 / 64 - ¥600 / 70 - ¥630 / 80 - ¥700 / 90 - ¥760 / 120 - ¥940.
The cassette industry convention was to use Roman numerals for position in model names, but these changed to Arabic numerals. Shell design and printing became horizontal throughout, leaving no trace of the original look. A 150-minute version, Japan’s longest, was added for Normal only.
PS-1 and PS-2, fifth generation, 1995
PS-1, Type I: 30 minutes - ¥370 / 40 - ¥400 / 46 - ¥430 / 50 - ¥460 / 54 - ¥490 / 60 - ¥520 / 64 - ¥550 / 70 - ¥580 / 74 - ¥610 / 80 - ¥650 / 90 - ¥690 / 120 - ¥870. PS-2, Type II: 30 minutes - ¥420 / 40 - ¥450 / 46 - ¥480 / 50 - ¥510 / 54 - ¥540 / 60 - ¥570 / 64 - ¥600 / 70 - ¥630 / 74 - ¥660 / 80 - ¥700 / 90 - ¥760 / 120 - ¥940.
The fifth generation retained the previous shell and hub designs. A new イージー・イン・スリムケース (slim case accepting the cassette either way around) was introduced. A cassette could be inserted either way, supporting both the reversed orientation of early slim cases and the conventional orientation.
PS-1 and PS-2, sixth generation, 1997
PS-1, Type I: 30 minutes - ¥400 / 40 - ¥440 / 46 - ¥460 / 50 - ¥480 / 54 - ¥500 / 60 - ¥520 / 64 - ¥540 / 70 - ¥560 / 74 - ¥580 / 80 - ¥600 / 90 - ¥640 / 120 - ¥840. PS-2, Type II: 30 minutes - ¥440 / 40 - ¥480 / 46 - ¥500 / 50 - ¥520 / 54 - ¥540 / 60 - ¥560 / 64 - ¥580 / 70 - ¥600 / 74 - ¥620 / 80 - ¥640 / 90 - ¥680 / 120 - ¥880.
Through the preceding model, Normal and High Position shells shared the same color. With this sixth generation, the tenth overall, they were color-coded again as in the first generation. Normal was translucent milky white and High Position translucent navy. It was also the first to use different illustrations on the packages.
PS・1 and PS・2, seventh generation, 1998
PS・1, Type I: 30 minutes - ¥400 / 40 - ¥440 / 46 - ¥460 / 50 - ¥480 / 54 - ¥500 / 60 - ¥520 / 64 - ¥540 / 70 - ¥560 / 74 - ¥580 / 80 - ¥600 / 90 - ¥640 / 120 - ¥840. PS・2, Type II: 30 minutes - ¥420 / 40 - ¥460 / 46 - ¥480 / 50 - ¥500 / 54 - ¥520 / 60 - ¥540 / 64 - ¥560 / 70 - ¥580 / 74 - ¥600 / 80 - ¥620 / 90 - ¥660 / 120 - ¥860.
The shell changed to translucent blue. Different shades of blue in the tape-window area distinguished Normal from High Position. An エッジライトハーフ (soft-feeling shell) was also newly introduced. A JUDY AND MARY collaboration version with a sleeve case was available too.
PS1 and PS2, eighth generation, 1999
PS1, Type I: 30 minutes - ¥300 / 40 - ¥340 / 46 - ¥360 / 50 - ¥380 / 54 - ¥400 / 60 - ¥420 / 64 - ¥440 / 70 - ¥460 / 74 - ¥480 / 80 - ¥500 / 90 - ¥540 / 120 - ¥680. PS2, Type II: 30 minutes - ¥340 / 40 - ¥380 / 46 - ¥400 / 50 - ¥420 / 54 - ¥440 / 60 - ¥460 / 64 - ¥480 / 70 - ¥500 / 74 - ¥520 / 80 - ¥540 / 90 - ¥580 / 120 - ¥720.
The PS series had always been durable, but now it was adapted for car audio. Besides physical durability, the practical shell design made sides A and B easy to identify even while driving. By then, however, the times no longer needed cassette tapes.
PS1 and PS2, ninth generation, 2000
PS1 is Type I and PS2 is Type II. Normal and High Position shared the basic shell design but differed in color and printing. Normal was designated “Natural Sound” and High Position for car audio, an unusual generation that assigned different uses by tape position.
PS1 and PS2, tenth generation, 2001
PS1 is Type I and PS2 is Type II. The dolphin from the earlier J’z design returned, and the overall look used shades of blue. The preceding model’s division of uses by position disappeared: both were recommended for car audio too. Seven different nature-photo index cards were included.
PS1 and PS2, eleventh generation, 2002
PS1, Type I: 60 minutes - ¥150 / 64 - ¥160 / 70 - ¥170 / 74 - ¥180 / 80 - ¥190 / 90 - ¥200 / 120 - ¥220. PS2, Type II: 60 minutes - ¥160 / 64 - ¥170 / 70 - ¥180 / 74 - ¥190 / 80 - ¥200 / 90 - ¥210 / 120 - ¥230.
The final version of the PS series that began in 1985. The dolphin illustration on the package varied with the position and tape length. This minor revision did not change performance significantly from the previous model. It remained on sale until the mid-2000s.
PS-IV, first generation, 1991
Type IV. 40 minutes - ¥470 / 46 - ¥510 / 50 - ¥540 / 54 - ¥570 / 60 - ¥610 / 70 - ¥670 / 80 - ¥740 / 90 - ¥800.
A direct descendant of the earlier PS-IVx Metal, but with the x removed from its name, making it a Metal in the main PS line. Its shell and case matched the Normal and High Position models of the same generation and did not look especially different, but the package used gold accents to convey a premium feel.
PS METAL, first generation, 1993
Type IV. 40 minutes - ¥470 / 46 - ¥510 / 50 - ¥540 / 54 - ¥570 / 60 - ¥610 / 64 - ¥640 / 70 - ¥670 / 80 - ¥740 / 90 - ¥800.
The new PS METAL series replaced IV in the PS-IV name with METAL. Apart from the package and tape, its design matched the Normal and High Position models. This was the last to retain the diagonal tape window inherited from the early PS series.
PS METAL, second generation, 1994
Type IV. 40 minutes - ¥470 / 46 - ¥510 / 50 - ¥540 / 54 - ¥570 / 60 - ¥610 / 64 - ¥640 / 70 - ¥670 / 80 - ¥740 / 90 - ¥800.
The tape used a three-layer magnetic material for Metal and a short leader, in keeping with contemporary trends. The flashy gold package catches the eye, while the cassette itself is extremely subdued in gray.
PS METAL, third generation, 1995
Type IV. 40 minutes - ¥490 / 46 - ¥520 / 50 - ¥550 / 54 - ¥580 / 60 - ¥610 / 64 - ¥640 / 70 - ¥670 / 74 - ¥700 / 80 - ¥740 / 90 - ¥800.
The third generation adopted a slim case that accepted the cassette either way around. On the package only, the AXIA logo changed to the original official logo with a red X.
PS METAL, fourth generation, 1997
Type IV. 40 minutes - ¥500 / 46 - ¥520 / 50 - ¥540 / 54 - ¥560 / 60 - ¥580 / 64 - ¥600 / 70 - ¥620 / 74 - ¥640 / 80 - ¥660 / 90 - ¥700.
Until then the basic package and shell design had matched the Normal and High Position models, but from this generation Metal was differentiated. The shell design itself, however, had not changed for two generations.
PS METAL, fifth generation, 1998
Type IV. 46 minutes - ¥520 / 50 - ¥540 / 54 - ¥560 / 60 - ¥580 / 64 - ¥600 / 70 - ¥620 / 74 - ¥640 / 80 - ¥660 / 90 - ¥700.
In this generation of PS, only Metal received a new shell design. Although other companies were still releasing Metal tapes, this model brought AXIA’s Metal history to an early close.
PS-x series
An extra version of the PS series with still higher performance.
PS-Ix and PS-IIx, first generation, 1987
PS-Ix, Type I: 46 minutes - ¥500 / 54 - ¥550 / 60 - ¥600 / 90 - ¥890. PS-IIx, Type II: 46 minutes - ¥530 / 50 - ¥560 / 54 - ¥600 / 60 - ¥660 / 74 - ¥800 / 90 - ¥950.
An extra version of PS refined for the digital age. Its asymmetric shell distinguished it from PS, while the diagonal layout identified it as a member of the series. Increased mid- and low-frequency MOL allowed it to reproduce source information powerfully.
About the PS-x series
AXIA’s representative PS series gained -s in its name and improved performance in its second generation. The PS-x series developed it further and was released as a higher-grade product.
The ツインクリスタル・ハイポリマーハーフ (twin-crystal high-polymer shell) was molded as one piece from transparent and translucent materials. Its asymmetry made it look a little unusual, but, like PS, it was designed to resist heat, cold and vibration.
The tape offered still higher performance than PS-s, which had been promoted for noise reduction and dubbing. Ix used the newly developed ベリドックスPX・タイプI (Beridox PX type I magnetic material), improving low-frequency MOL. IIx used ベリドックスPX・タイプII (Beridox PX type II magnetic material), expanding dynamic range across the frequency band.
The second generation arrived in 1989, together with the Metal PS-IVx. This was an economy Metal tape of the kind many companies were releasing at the time. It was never redesigned and remained a single-generation model.
PS-Ix and PS-IIx, second generation, 1989
PS-Ix, Type I: 46 minutes - ¥430 / 50 - ¥450 / 54 - ¥480 / 60 - ¥530 / 74 - ¥620 / 90 - ¥720. PS-IIx, Type II: 46 minutes - ¥480 / 50 - ¥500 / 54 - ¥530 / 60 - ¥580 / 74 - ¥670 / 90 - ¥770.
The shell design carried over from the preceding model, but PLAYER SPIRITS was printed in script, giving it a more refined look. Large hubs on tapes of 54 minutes or less also gave them a more premium appearance.
PS-Ix and PS-IIx, third generation, 1991
PS-Ix, Type I: 46 minutes - ¥470 / 50 - ¥500 / 54 - ¥530 / 60 - ¥580 / 64 - ¥610 / 74 - ¥680 / 90 - ¥770. PS-IIx, Type II: 46 minutes - ¥530 / 50 - ¥550 / 54 - ¥580 / 60 - ¥640 / 64 - ¥660 / 74 - ¥740 / 90 - ¥850.
The final version finally adopted a slim case 20% thinner than the conventional one. The shell gained a wide window through which the whole interior could be seen. The diagonal lettering that had symbolized AXIA disappeared, giving the model a sense of an era ending.
PS-IVx, first generation, 1989
Type IV. 46 minutes - ¥500 / 50 - ¥520 / 54 - ¥550 / 60 - ¥600 / 74 - ¥690 / 90 - ¥790.
The first Metal in the PS series. When youth-oriented AXIA launched, it did not include expensive Metal tape in its lineup. The company remained cautious afterward, but as Metal tapes became cheaper, its selection grew.
JP, 1985
A new casual cassette for the new brand. Type I. 46 minutes - ¥370 / 60 - ¥420 / 90 - ¥680 / 120 - ¥940.
One of the models released when AXIA was born, this basic cassette succeeded FUJI DR. It used ニュー・ピュアフェリックス (new Pure Ferrix magnetic material), an improved version of DR’s magnetic material, with a balanced design for sensitivity, frequency response, MOL and other properties. A TSガイド (TS guide) and LFプロテクター (LF protector) inside the shell ensured stable tape travel. A cleaning leader tape and other features improved reliability.
JC, 1985
A stylish wonder cassette with fun illustrations. Type I. Open price.
Released soon after AXIA was established, this product was aimed mainly at junior and senior high school students. It was a so-called fashion cassette: its performance, price and recording time were the same, but different versions had different illustrations on their packages and shell labels. The initial lineup had eight designs, with more added later.